The Jazz Times Reader's Poll Results By Don Boland BEST VOCAL GROUP

The Four Freshmen New York Voices Manhattan Transfer Take 6

Congratulations to The Four Freshmen!!!

HALL OF FAME

Michael Brecker Roy Hanes Manhattan Transfer Take 6 MALE VOCALIST

Kurt Elling Tony Bennett Mark Murphy Harry Connick, Jr. Andy Bey FEMALE VOCALIST

Cassandra Wilson Diana Krall Dianne Reeves Roberta Gambarini Dee Dee Bridgewater

The Brians and The Four Freshmen By Dick Baldwin, FFS President

Brian Wilson made the FF gig at The McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, CA (1-28-08), Show Time 8:00 PM and it happened. Two Brians who make music, Freshmen style, met and made conversation. FF Brian E. loved the Beach Boys when a youngster in Apple Valley (you recall he as oft referred in concert about 25 cent CD's) and Brian W. appreciated early in his career how the Freshmen sound evolved and influenced his popular group.

FF Brian at long last met the Beach Boy's Brian and the two connected. The conclave came following the show when Brian Wilson visited backstage. The Wilson comments - "You guys didn't sing one wrong note". The Beach Boys an- chor lined "Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring" and "Little Girl Blue", two Fresh staples.

Wilson guitarist Jeffrey Foskett brought his boss to the McCallum and informed Brian E. that it was only the second Freshmen concert, ever, for Beach Boy Brian Wilson.

Isn't it true that musicians with differences are often similar and respect how vocal sounds are made:

These two performers are in tune. But the Freshmen always are! FN July, August, September 2008 16